PM BRIDGE4 User manual

THINK LESS. CREATE MORE.
BRIDGE4
MIDI CONTROLLER
USER MANUAL (V2.0.0)

This device was created and
designed to empower your
creativity.
It is the result of many long nights and
early mornings. It is born from the desire
to bridge the gap between musician
and instrument, and we want to say a
huge thank you for your support. Our
brand is built around a strong
community and we hope you love your
new MIDI controller as much as we do.
The PIRATE MIDI Team

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1. Device Interface 14
Footswitches ...........................................................................................................14
OLED Display .........................................................................................................14
RGB LEDs ................................................................................................................ 14
2. Power & Navigation 15
Powering Your Bridge4 .........................................................................................15
Switching Power Sources ...................................................................................... 15
Basic Navigation ....................................................................................................15
Opening the Menu ................................................................................................ 16
Second-Screen Settings ........................................................................................ 17
3. Overview of Connectors 18
4. Flexiports 20
Flexiport Modes Summary ...................................................................................20
MIDI Out .................................................................................................................22
Expression Pedal In ................................................................................................22
Exp-Doubler In .......................................................................................................23
Tap Tempo Output .................................................................................................24
Aux Switch In ..........................................................................................................24
Switch Out ..............................................................................................................25
Strymon Fav Switch Out ........................................................................................25
MS Relay ..................................................................................................................25
Pulse Clock Out ......................................................................................................26
Device Link ............................................................................................................. 26
5. MIDI In/Out/Thru 28
MIDI Out .................................................................................................................28
MIDI In .....................................................................................................................28
MIDI Thru ................................................................................................................28
6. USB MIDI 30
USB (type-C) ...........................................................................................................30
7. Messages & Modes 31
MIDI Messages .......................................................................................................31
Smart Messages .....................................................................................................31
Primary Footswitch Modes ....................................................................................32
Secondary Footswitch Modes ..............................................................................36
Expand & Improve Your MIDI Routing ................................................................37
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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LFOs ........................................................................................................................38
Expression Pedals .................................................................................................. 38
Expression Ladder Messages ...............................................................................39
Aux Switches ..........................................................................................................40
Boot Messages & Boot Delay ...............................................................................40
Device Link ............................................................................................................. 40
8. Message Stacks 41
MIDI Messages Onboard ...................................................................................... 41
9. MIDI Clock 46
MIDI Clock Onboard ............................................................................................. 46
10. LFOs 49
Setting LFOs ...........................................................................................................49
11. Switch Out 53
Setting TRS Out ......................................................................................................53
12. Aux Switch In 54
Setting Up Auxiliary Switches ............................................................................... 54
13. Switch Groups 56
Accessing and Editing Switch Groups ................................................................56
14. Interface - LEDs 59
LED Color Selection ..............................................................................................59
Custom LED Colors ............................................................................................... 59
LED Behaviour ........................................................................................................ 60
External LED Control .............................................................................................61
LED Brightness ....................................................................................................... 61
15. Interface - Bank Names 62
Changing the Bank Name .................................................................................... 62
Scroll Acceleration ................................................................................................. 62
Inverting the Bank Name Color ...........................................................................62
16. Interface - UI Mode 63
How to change the UI ............................................................................................63
Simple UI ................................................................................................................. 63
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)

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Extended UI .............................................................................................................63
17. Interface - Switch Labels 65
Changing & Customising Switch Labels ..............................................................65
18. Bank Navigation 66
19. Other Global Settings 67
MIDI Channel ...........................................................................................................67
Persistent Switch States ..........................................................................................67
Transmit Switch States ............................................................................................67
Program Change (PC) Bank Output .....................................................................68
Switch Hold Time ....................................................................................................68
20. Resetting or Updating 69
Factory Reset ...........................................................................................................69
Global Settings Reset .............................................................................................69
Updating Firmware .................................................................................................69
Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................70
21. MIDI Implementation 71
22. Support & Warranty 73
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)

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BRIDGE4 OVERVIEW
The Bridge4 is a 4-switch MIDI foot controller with RGB LEDs, an OLED screen,
and a super tough aluminium enclosure. It’s made in New South Wales, Australia
and was the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2020. Now PIRATE
MIDI builds and sells MIDI devices all over the world.
The Bridge4 can send stacks of MIDI messages through dierent footswitch press
types (Press, Hold, Double-Press etc.) with 100 dierent bank of switches to scroll
through. This means that the 400+ MIDI messages on each bank can be
individually assigned across the whole device for a total over more than 40,000
unique messages and controls.
To help you connect to a wide variety of music gear, we’ve included two Flexiports
of our own design. These ¼” (6.35mm) TRS jacks can be set to whatever mode
best suits your setup. From expression pedals to beat sync pulse to switch
emulation, you can use this MIDI controller to control devices that don’t even
have MIDI!
With all settings available to easily edit using the onboard display and menus as
well as with the web editor, we hope you’ll agree that this is perfect for
performing live or playing at home.

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LINKS TO DOWNLOADS:
https://learn.piratemidi.com
It’s important that rmware updates are installed when they
are available. Old rmware may not be supported by the
web editor.
Firmware updates are released frequently and offer new
features, bug xes and other improvements.
User manuals are updated for each rmware update
according to new features and changes.
DIMENSIONS
Metric (112x94x63 mm)
Imperial (4.4”x 3.7”x 2.5”)
DISPLAY
OLED (3.2”)
WEIGHT
Metric (335g)
Imperial (11.8v oz.)
POWER REQUIREMENT
9v DC or USB (200mA)
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
BOX CONTENTS
1x Bridge4 MIDI Foot Controller
1x USB Cable
4x Self-Adhesive Rubber Feet

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HARDWARE LAYOUT
4 soft-touch footswitches. No clicking. Work with multiple press types
(double-press, hold, etc).
8 RGB LEDs which you can assign to any colour you like for any function
you like. Flashing, solid, dim etc.
Heavy-duty aluminium enclosure with black anodising.
Scratch-resistant and no ex.
Bright, crisp, and easy to read OLED graphical display.
Menus, icons, scribble strips are all a breeze on this beautiful display
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4

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HARDWARE LAYOUT (CONT.)
Flexiports 1 and 2. Multi-function ¼” (6.35mm) TRS jacks which can
be used in a number of different modes.
2.1mm 9v DC barrel jack - as standard on most effects pedals and
power supplies.
Dedicated 3.5mm TRS MIDI In conforming to the MIDI.org
specication (Type A).
Dedicated 3.5mm TRS MIDI Out conforming to the MIDI.org
specication (Type A).
USB type C for USB MIDI, using the web editor, and powering the
device.
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9

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QUICK START
1. Bank Up/Down
To go to the next bank, press switch 3 and switch 4 together.
To go to the previous bank, press switch 1 and switch 2 together.
These can be customised or turned off (See chapter 18).
2. Entering the Menu
To enter the onboard menu, hold switch 1 and switch 3 simultaneously.
All settings can be changed with onboard menus as well as the editor.
Hold switches 3 & 4 to exit the menu.

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QUICK START (CONT.)
3. Don’t Miss the Rest!
Many menus and settings have a second or third page of settings. Always make sure you
haven’t missed vital settings by scrolling to the right using switch 4 until you get back to the
rst position.
4. General Navigation
- Icons under or above each switch will show you what function they will serve.
- Generally switch 3&4 is a “back” or “exit” button, and switch 1&2 is a “enter” or “select”
button.
- Switches 1 & 2 are up/down or value-changing controls.
- Switches 3 & 4 are sideways navigation to go to the next parameter.
Move Left - FS3 Exit/Back - FS 3&4 Move Right - FS4
Down/Decr. - FS1 Save/Edit - FS1&2 Up/Incr. - FS2

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QUICK START (CONT.)
Check the MIDI outputs
When you create a message, make sure you scroll across to the second/third screen to check
that the message is being sent to the correct MIDI outputs (Flexiport 1, Flexiport 2, TRS, or
USB). All outputs are on by default, but if you’re having trouble sending messages, you
should check the outputs. Read more in chapter 8.
Set Flexiport Mode Before Using Flexiports
Before you plug something into a Flexiport, make sure you set the Flexiport mode in
Menu>Global>Flexiports>Flexiport ‘x’>Mode
You won’t get the function you want unless you set the Flexiport mode. There is no mode set
to the Flexiports by default - you must always set the mode.
Set Banking Program Change Outputs
By default, the BRIDGE will send Program Change (PC) MIDI messages out all 4 MIDI outputs
when you change the bank (corresponding to the BRIDGE bank number). If you want to turn
some/all outputs off, or change the MIDI channel that the PC are sent on, go to:
“Menu>Global>MIDI>Banking PC Outputs”
Switch Groups & Broadcast/Response Settings
When modifying switch group settings, the broadcast/response settings may seem
overwhelming. If you leave the defaults unedited, the switch will behave in a simple
“exclusive” mode where only one switch will be on at a time. If you want to learn what these
powerful settings are capable of, read more in chapter 13.
Check that your BRIDGE4 rmware is up to date.
Updates are released periodically adding new features and bug xes. Go to:
www.learn.piratemidi.com/downloads/rmware-updates

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Warning: technical documentation enclosed.
Coffee required.

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1. Device Interface
Footswitches
Four silent footswitches are the main interface on the Bridge4. Rated for over 100,000 presses
each, they can send different MIDI message stacks for different press types (Toggle On, Toggle
Off, Press, Release, Double Press, Hold, Hold Release etc).
Each switch can send many different messages, and can be congured differently on every
bank:
Toggle On: 16
Toggle Off: 16
Press: 8
Release: 8
Hold: 8
Hold Release: 8
Double Press: 8
Secondary Toggle On: 8
Secondary Toggle Off: 8
Sequential Steps: 16
Scrolling Messages: 16
OLED Display
A large graphical display allows us to display symbols and icons to make the user interface
easier to use.
The beauty of an OLED is the crisp, high-contrast display. Easily readable from a distance with
no need for an annoying backlight.
By default, the OLED shows the bank name in the centre, and each switch label is set to “FS ‘x”.
Switch labels and bank names are editable through the onboard menus, the web editor, and
our API.
RGB LEDs
Each switch is paired with a curved light pipe that houses 2 independent RGB LEDs. This means
you can choose from millions of colours per switch and combine different LED states/colours
to create your own custom interface. Custom colours can be created on the device, in the web
editor, or sent to the device with the API or MIDI commands.

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2. Power & Navigation
Powering Your Bridge4
You can power your Bridge4 with either a USB cable, or a centre-negative 9v DC jack (2.1mm)
commonly used for guitar pedals.
Centre-Negative DC Power USB Power
Switching Power Sources
The Bridge4 uses smart power switching so you can have both plugged in at once, and if you
need to remove one or the other, the unit will seamlessly switch power sources without
shutting down or restarting.
Power Requirement
If you’re using a 9v DC power supply, please make sure
it can supply the required 200mA.
Basic Navigation
Bank Up & Bank Down
As indicated by the arrows at the bottom of the OLED screen, pressing switches 3 & 4 at the
same time will advance to the next bank (Bank Up) and pressing switches 1 & 2 at the same
time will go to the previous bank (Bank Down). This is indicated by the two arrows displayed on
the screen (visible on below diagram)
There are 100 banks (1-100). Banking up from bank 100 will return you to bank 1. Banking
down from bank 1 will send you to bank 100.

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Opening the Menu
To enter the menu, press and hold down switches 1 & 3 simultaneously (as pictured below). You
will know you’ve entered the menu when the screen layout changes.
Press switch 1 or switch 2 to navigate the menu (note the arrows on screen).
Press switch 3 or 4 to change bank or navigate horizontally in the menu (note the arrows on the
screen.
Press switch 1&2 to select or set (like an ‘enter’ or ‘return’ key on a computer).
Press switch 3&4 to ‘go back’ to the previous menu screen or exit the menu.
Hold switch 3&4 on any menu screen to completely exit the menu.
Second-Screen Settings
When editing parameters like MIDI message details, LFO settings etc. there may be a second
(or third) screen of settings. To access these pages, use the left and right arrows on switch 4 &
6 to navigate horizontally across the screen.
These pages are “circular” and navigating across in one direction will always bring you back to
the place you started.

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Ready to Rock
That’s the end of the basic navigation instructions. After this you should be able to gure out
how to navigate all the menus and settings. You can watch the tutorial videos on our YouTube
channel for a visual explanation.

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3. Overview of Connectors
USB (type-C)
The Bridge4 can be powered by USB, and is also a class-compliant USB MIDI device. This
means it will be recognised as a MIDI device without any drivers. Use it with your DAW, plugins,
or music apps.
TRS MIDI In
A 3.5mm TRS Jack designated as a dedicated MIDI input. This Input conforms to the MIDI
Specication (Type A).
TRS MIDI Out
A 3.5mm TRS Jack designated as a dedicated MIDI output. This Output conforms to the MIDI
Specication (Type A) and can power CME WIDI products.
9v DC (centre-negative)
A 2.1mm centre-negative barrel jack (common with standard guitar pedal power supplies).
Requires 200mA.

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TRS Flexiports 1 & 2
¼” (6.35mm) TRS jacks with 13 modes (and counting):
• MIDI Out
• Type A
• Type B
• Tip Active
• Ring Active
• Device Link
• Exp-Doubler In
• Expression In
• Aux Switch In
• Switch Out
• MS Relay Out
• Strymon Fav Out
• Tap Tempo Out
• Pulse Clock Out
The extreme exibility of the Bridge4 is due partly to the two Flexiports we’ve included. The
Flexiport is a multi-function TRS port that we’ve designed (and named) to give you a truly
exible experience with our devices.
Flexiports will be included in most PIRATE MIDI devices and will offer the same functionality
across all devices. So, if you see the name Flexiport you know what it does.

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4. Flexiports
Flexiport Modes Summary
Each Flexiport on the Bridge4 is a 6.35mm (¼”) TRS Jack. They have 11 modes (and counting)
that are assignable in the Menu under
Menu > Global > Flexiports > Flexiport ‘x’ > Mode
1. MIDI Out - Type A
(Can power CME WIDI devices. Type A is the MIDI TRS standard.)
2. MIDI Out - Type B
(As used by Arturia, Novation and others)
3. MIDI Out - Tip Active
(Empress, Alexander Pedals, Meris, Bondi Effects and more)
4. MIDI Out - Ring Active
(Chase Bliss Audio)
5. Device Link
(connect multiple PIRATE MIDI devices together)
6. Exp-Doubler In
(Enables two expression pedal inputs per Flexiport with our Exp-Doubler device)